Sports

Neymar, Di Maria & Paresdes test positive for Coronavirus

Published

4 years ago

September 4, 2020

After suffering a predictable loss at the UEFA Champions League final, French club Paris Saint-Germain received a further blow as they officially confirmed that three of their prolific players have been tested positive for the widespread Coronavirus.

Although the French giants failed to mention the names of the players, a report from French outlet L’Equipe claims that Neymar is in the list of the positive cases.

The Ligue 1 giants have not picked up the ball ever since their defeat to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League final at Lisbon, Portugal. They will be opening their French League campaign on September 10.

After their defeat to the German club, most of the PSG star took some days off in Ibiza. L’Equipe further reported the names of the three players; Neymar, Angel Di Maria, and Leandro Paredes, who all went to Ibiza for their brief holidays.

The club wrote on their official website: “Three Paris Saint-Germain players have confirmed positive Sars CoV2 tests and are subject to the appropriate health protocol.

“All of the players and coaching staff will continue to undergo tests in the coming days.”

The first match for the Ligue 1 campaign was postponed in July following the outbreak of Coronavirus sudden cases at Marseille, who confirmed three positive cases among its first eleven players and club’s staff.

Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille are not the only French club suffering the outbreak blow, as several others have also suffered the blow with Lyon, Rennes and Montpellier included in that list.

This resulted in the Parisians canceling their senior team training, with many of the first-team squad still out on international duty.

Ligue 1 received high critics after becoming the only top European league to prematurely end its 2019/20 campaign rather than restart following the Coronavirus pandemic during spring. With its campaign ending, the club with the highest position on the league table was announced champions; Paris Saint-Germain won the 2019/20 campaign with Marseille coming second while Stade Rennes and Lille ending with the third and fourth position respectively.

After two games played in their 2020/21 campaign, OGC Nice are currently sitting top of the table having emerged victorious in their opening matches against RC Lens and Strasbourg. Bordeaux, AS Monaco, Rennes, Lille, and Nantes all two points behind Nice and several online bookies are creating better odds for the games ahead in the French league.

Marseille started their season opener with a 3-2 victory against Brest on Sunday after seeing their previous opening match with Saint-Etienne postponed on August 18.

Paris Saint-Germain was originally confirmed to start their 2020/21 campaign on September 10, but following these new altercations with the Coronavirus, the club might be asked to postpone their opener once again due to this.

Although nothing of sort have been officially confirmed, if it happened to be, PSG will be having a lot on their plate as the Thomas Tuchel’s team will be tasked with the job of catching up with the other clubs in the team plus potential players that might be missing out on their first opener.

Sports

Prep Soccer Names Saint Louis University Men’s Soccer Player Jackson Delkus as the 2024 Nationwide #1 Soccer Player for Fall 2024

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Photo courtesy of Jackson Delkus

By: Georgette Virgo

“Prep Soccer” crowned Jackson Delkus, a 6’0″ forward from St. Louis, Missouri, the top high school boys soccer player in the nation for 2024. The former Laurel Springs student and St. Louis City SC Academy standout earned this prestigious ranking through his skills, versatility, and dedication to the sport.

Delkus’ rise to the top spot is no surprise to those who have followed his journey on the soccer field. Last July 2024, Saint Louis University’s Men’s soccer team proudly announced Jackson Delkus as part of their 2024 recruiting class. “Top Drawer Soccer” recognized him as the #1 player for the Class of 2024 in Heartland.

A Versatile Powerhouse on the Field

His versatility and record-breaking speed characterize Delkus’ playing style. Primarily positioned as a forward, Jackson Delkus excels in multiple positions across the front line, including left-wing, right-wing, and striker. His seamless transition between these roles makes him a threat to any defense.

Saint Louis University head men’s soccer coach Kevin Kalish speaks highly of Jackson Delkus. He mentions, “Jackson is a powerful attacker with incredible speed and a high work rate who can make plays in the attacking half of the field. I have watched him for most of his youth career, and he is an intense competitor who thrives under the spotlight.”

His well-rounded skill set complements Delkus’s offensive skills. Despite his natural inclination toward attacking play, he has developed strong defensive capabilities, often tracking back to support his team’s defense and disrupt opponents’ plays. This two-way play style has made him an asset to his team.

Breaking Records and Pushing Limits

As a soccer player who always strives to bring his A-game, Jackson Delkus is committed to self-improvement, as highlighted in his weekly one-on-one striker training and impressive physical achievements. He holds the freshman record for sprints at Chaminade College Preparatory School, showcasing his exceptional speed of 11.72 in 100 meters and 25.17 in 200 meters.

His December 2023 speed record of 23.4 miles per hour at Legion of Strength, a training facility frequented by professional and amateur athletes in the St. Louis area, further strengthens his speed record.

From speed, Jackson Delkus also shows his ability to score. During the fall 2021 season, Delkus’s speed and skill combination made him the top scorer for the St. Louis City SC Academy U16 team.

These feats of athleticism are not mere numbers; they translate directly to Delkus’ performance on the pitch. His pace allows him to beat defenders, create space for teammates, and capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Aside from improving his speed and scoring, a big part of Delkus’ training is to develop his weaker foot, resulting in a playing style that keeps defenders guessing. “Although I’m naturally right-footed, I’ve put in countless hours to improve my left foot,” Jackson Delkus shares. “Now, most of my goals come from my left foot, which gives me a significant advantage on the field.”

The young forward has also unintentionally created his signature look on the field with his terrycloth headband, making him easily recognizable to fans and opponents alike. This trademark has only added to his growing reputation in the soccer community.

A Bright Future Ahead

As Jackson Delkus joins Saint Louis University’s Men’s soccer program, expectations are high for his continued development. His combination of speed, skill, and versatility positions him as a potential game-changer at the collegiate level and beyond.

Despite his recognition and strong presence on the soccer field, Jackson Delkus remains grounded and focuses on his continued growth as a player. “Being named the top high school player by Prep Soccer is an incredible honor, but I know this is just the beginning,” he mentions. “I’m excited to join Saint Louis University and continue pushing myself to new heights.”

Delkus’ rising career as a soccer player, highlighted by his recognition as the nation’s top high school player, is a valuable addition to this portfolio and a crucial step toward his journey of playing professionally.

However, Jackson Delkus believes there’s still much to achieve. With his abilities and limitless potential, he looks forward to continuously impacting the sport today and in the future.